Project Management Professional (PMP) Practice Exam

While applying procurement management processes in your project, you identified the need to gain a more objective understanding of sellers’ capabilities in order to rank proposals and develop a negotiating sequence. Which technique may help avoid bias and subjective decisions best?

1. Bidder conference

2. Weighting system

3. Oral contract

4. Letter of intent

The correct answer is: Weighting system

A bidder conference (choice A) may provide helpful information, but it relies on subjective information and may not provide objective data. An oral contract (choice C) may be subject to interpretation and may not provide clear and measurable criteria for ranking proposals. A letter of intent (choice D) is merely an expression of interest and may not provide any valuable information for selecting a qualified seller. A weighting system (choice B) allows for objective evaluation criteria to be established and applied to each proposal, reducing potential for bias and subjective decisions. It allows for a more strategic and consistent approach to ranking and selecting proposals. Therefore, choice B is the best technique to avoid bias and subjective decisions in the procurement process.